Hypercholesterolemia Prevention

Hypercholesterolemia Prevention

People cannot change their age, sex, genetic factors, or family history that may increase their risk of high cholesterol levels, but they can manage their risk by getting plenty of exercise, keeping their weight at a healthy level, quitting smoking, and eating foods that help to lower LDL levels.

Specific dietary recommendations include:

• Eating foods that are low in saturated fats.

• Keeping cholesterol intake from foods below 200 milligrams per day. One egg, for example, contains about 210 milligrams of cho- lesterol. Eating lean meats, drinking skim instead of whole milk, and using egg substitutes are good ways to lower one’s intake of cholesterol from foods.

Angina: Chest pain caused by inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscles.

Atherosclerosis: Stiffening or hardening of the arteries caused by the formation of plaques within the arteries.

Cholesterol: A fatty substance produced naturally by the body that is found in the membranes of all body cells and is carried by the blood.

Plaque: A deposit of cholesterol along the inside wall of an artery.

Triglyceride: A type of fat made in the body.

• Eating whole-grain breads.

• Adding more servings of fruits and vegetables to the diet. These foods are rich in fiber, which can lower blood cholesterol levels.

• Eating more fish. Some types of fish, such as cod, halibut, and tuna, are lower in fat and cholesterol than poultry or red meat.

• Keeping one’s alcohol intake moderate.